After several years trouble free with my computer I'm getting an error
message that which has motivated me to finally save some files. I
haven't been able to note the message because it doesn't stay on the
screen long enough to copy it and all keys are frozen and won't work
so I can't print the screen.
I can't find the system disk that came with the computer, if there
even was one, so I don't have microsoft's backup utility. Can files
and/or folders simply be copied or saved to a disk? My main concern
is saving word processing files and pictures. What would the
drawbacks be of doing that instead of getting a backup utility?
Also, if I have to end up replacing the computer, will saved xp files
be compatible with vista?
Backing up is simply a process / procedure
Copying data is simply a type of backup
Backup applications usually have the ability to compress the backup, to save
space.
Your data files will be unaffected by Vista, its the data Program that reads
the files, not Vista
Personnally I've never used the Win backup utility, but prefer third party
software
"al" <alborasso@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1182297035.850660.92470@g4g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
> After several years trouble free with my computer I'm getting an error
> message that which has motivated me to finally save some files. I
> haven't been able to note the message because it doesn't stay on the
> screen long enough to copy it and all keys are frozen and won't work
> so I can't print the screen.
>
> I can't find the system disk that came with the computer, if there
> even was one, so I don't have microsoft's backup utility. Can files
> and/or folders simply be copied or saved to a disk? My main concern
> is saving word processing files and pictures. What would the
> drawbacks be of doing that instead of getting a backup utility?
>
> Also, if I have to end up replacing the computer, will saved xp files
> be compatible with vista?
>
> Thank you very much for any input.
>
On 6/19/2007 4:50 PM On a whim, al pounded out on the keyboard
> After several years trouble free with my computer I'm getting an error
> message that which has motivated me to finally save some files. I
> haven't been able to note the message because it doesn't stay on the
> screen long enough to copy it and all keys are frozen and won't work
> so I can't print the screen.
>
> I can't find the system disk that came with the computer, if there
> even was one, so I don't have microsoft's backup utility. Can files
> and/or folders simply be copied or saved to a disk? My main concern
> is saving word processing files and pictures. What would the
> drawbacks be of doing that instead of getting a backup utility?
>
> Also, if I have to end up replacing the computer, will saved xp files
> be compatible with vista?
>
> Thank you very much for any input.
>
Hi Al,
Consider yourself lucky, operating for years without a backup. It took
me losing a drive a long time back before learning to have good backupS
(capital intended).
If the files aren't damaged (you really won't know until you try to open
them), yes, you can just copy your data files/folders to a
CD/DVD/external drive. Hopefully everything is only in one location,
but a lot of times programs put files where THEY want them to go, so
check each program for data locations.
Yes, your files will be compatible with Vista, but the programs you
created them with may not be. Look into what upgrades may be necessary
for you to open those files before jumping to Vista.
--
Terry R.
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"al" <alborasso@yahoo.com> wrote
> After several years trouble free with my computer I'm getting an error
> message that which has motivated me to finally save some files.
Better late than never. You should always have a full and complete backup
of important data. Data loss is a matter of when, not if. Do it now, and
don't hesitate any longer.
> I haven't been able to note the message because it doesn't stay on the
> screen long enough to copy it and all keys are frozen and won't work
> so I can't print the screen.
>
> I can't find the system disk that came with the computer, if there
> even was one, so I don't have microsoft's backup utility.
You need to get a copy of the disk, either an installation CD or the
computer manufacturer's recovery CD. If something happens and the system
won't boot and you need to reinstall you are going to be out of luck.
> Can files
> and/or folders simply be copied or saved to a disk?
Sure, this is a good way to backup data files. But it is wise to have
redundany in backups, both in backup means and backup media such as flash
drive, CD/DVD, and an external drive.
> My main concern
> is saving word processing files and pictures. What would the
> drawbacks be of doing that instead of getting a backup utility?
Drawbacks? None really. The goal is to save your files.
> Also, if I have to end up replacing the computer, will saved xp files
> be compatible with vista?
Yes data files can be moved to Vista. Of couse the program that created
those files and is used to read them needs to be Vista compatible.
> Thank you very much for any input.
I suggest you look at drive imaging as another and excellent backup /
recovery solution. Drive imaging is the process of creating a compressed
file that contains everything on the drive. An excellent program for this
is Acronis True Image Home, version 10. Image to an external hard drive.
Images can be done on a drive or partition basis, and after a full image,
subsequent images can be incremental or differential saving time and space.
Restores can be done on a file, folder, partition or drive basis. It also
does file backup and disk cloning, and it works well in Vista.
> After several years trouble free with my computer I'm getting an error
> message that which has motivated me to finally save some files. I
> haven't been able to note the message because it doesn't stay on the
> screen long enough to copy it and all keys are frozen and won't work
> so I can't print the screen.
>
> I can't find the system disk that came with the computer, if there
> even was one, so I don't have microsoft's backup utility. Can files
> and/or folders simply be copied or saved to a disk? My main concern
> is saving word processing files and pictures. What would the
> drawbacks be of doing that instead of getting a backup utility?
>
> Also, if I have to end up replacing the computer, will saved xp files
> be compatible with vista?
>
> Thank you very much for any input.
>
"Copying" is just one method of backing up files in a computer. Copying
means making a duplicate of the file in its native state and putting it
into another location or media. Backup usually involves compressing the
file based on an algorithm and bundling a number of files into a single
master file with a table, such as, for example, a *.zip file or in some
other proprietary manner. The drawback of the former, i.e., copying, is
lack of compression; the latter, unable to expand the compressed file if
the algorithm is corrupt or file becomes corrupted or damaged.
Ideally, one should make an uncompressed copy as the main backup and a
compressed copy as the reserve backup. BTW, having a "backup" implies
that there are always two copies of any given file in existence at all
times. Woe is the user whose backup file becomes damaged after deleting
the original file form the hard drive.
Thanks for the extremely helpful responses! Concise and to the
point. Very helpful.
I don't have a lot that I need to save, but what I do have is
important. Fortunately, thanks to your help, I think I've seen the
light in time to do something about it to save them before all is
lost.
If I get the error message again and it lasts long enough to copy it,
it is a long one, I'll post it here to see if anyone knows what it's
all about.
"al" <alborasso@yahoo.com> wrote
> Thanks for the extremely helpful responses! Concise and to the
> point. Very helpful.
>
> I don't have a lot that I need to save, but what I do have is
> important. Fortunately, thanks to your help, I think I've seen the
> light in time to do something about it to save them before all is
> lost.
>
> If I get the error message again and it lasts long enough to copy it,
> it is a long one, I'll post it here to see if anyone knows what it's
> all about.
On 6/19/2007 6:05 PM On a whim, al pounded out on the keyboard
> Thanks for the extremely helpful responses! Concise and to the
> point. Very helpful.
>
> I don't have a lot that I need to save, but what I do have is
> important. Fortunately, thanks to your help, I think I've seen the
> light in time to do something about it to save them before all is
> lost.
>
> If I get the error message again and it lasts long enough to copy it,
> it is a long one, I'll post it here to see if anyone knows what it's
> all about.
>
> Thanks again...
>
>
Glad to be of assistance!
--
Terry R.
***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
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copying vs backing up 
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